Red Devils solidify four, Mt Lilydale triumph in shootout

2018 is proving a successful season for South Melbourne Districts after they secured their third consecutive victory with a 58-point win over Box Hill North at Elgar Park. Leading by 10 points at quarter time, the Swans piled on 14 goals to seven thereafter, with Aiden Rawlings leading all comers and bagging five. Another five players kicked multiples for Swans including BOG Jason Clifford. Lachie Silby played his first game for the Demons this year and started in style with five goals of his own. The Swans sit in third spot on the ladder without a loss, while the Demons are in seventh.

Five goals from both Stephen Richards-Gill and Marcus Coe led St Francis Xavier to their third win from as many starts, defeating Eley Park Sharks by 80 points at St Francis Xavier College. After a sluggish start, the X-Men trailed the Sharks by five points at the first break but subsequently kicked into gear and nailed 17 of the next 21 goals. Nathaniel Welsh kicked two goals and was named best afield for the X-Men while Shark Alex Webb impressed in his first game for the year. The X-Men remain on top of the Division 4 ladder, seven places above the Sharks.

It was a shootout between Elsternwick and Mt Lilydale, with the Rams edging past their opponents by 17 points. 30 goals were kicked between the two sides, with the Rams increasing a two-point three quarter time lead via five goals to three in the fourth quarter. Daniel Perry caused havoc up forward with four goals and teammate Gordon Gosland was unstoppable in a BOG display. Julian Yeatman bagged six majors for the Wickers as they sit sixth on the ladder and one spot below the Rams.

North Brunswick’s unbeaten run continued as they secured a 67-point victory over South Mornington Ferrero Reserve. Eight goals to one in the first term set the scene, with Michael Salloum kicking seven goals for the day and taking his season tally to 14. Keary Mourelatos starred for the Bulls, while Travis French played a lone hand up forward with four of the Tigers’ eight goals. The Bulls sit comfortably in second spot behind the X-Men while the Tigers are ninth and yet to register a win.

Parkside solidified their spot in the top four with a dominant 113-point win over Masala at Fotheringham Reserve. 40 scoring shots to 12 tells the tale of the one-sided affair, with Isaac Romano unstoppable with six goals in a BOG performance for the Red Devils. Sam Gilfedder chipped in with a bag of five, while Matt Soligo and Edward Mason each kicked three. Wayne McMahon stood tall for the Tigers as their best player but there wasn’t enough support as they slump to a percentage of 28.51% in 10^th spot on the ladder.